The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Four Pillars of Practice.

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In 2020 the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) updated its four pillars of Practice to represent contemporary physiotherapy values. As the owner and sole clinician at Physio in Felsted, I uphold these values, which are: 

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1) Exercise, Movement, and Rehabilitation.
I include advice and education relating to things that affect our daily lives, such as injury prevention, posture, ergonomics, and lifting and carrying techniques. I include tailored exercises and physical therapy advice to improve your general health and mobility, and to strengthen specific areas of your body.

2) Manual Therapy and Therapeutic Handling.
I am an experienced hands- on physiotherapist and include manual therapy techniques to help relieve pain, stiffness, and encourage more efficient and normal body movement. I integrate Myofascial Release, using a variety of techniques, to promote hydration, softening, and mobility within the soft tissue.
 
3) Therapeutic and Diagnostic Techniques.
I have been trained in the use of equipment such as
a) TENS, or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation; a small battery-operated device is used to deliver and electric current to an affected area, with the aim of relieving pain.
b) Therapeutic Ultrasound; a high frequency sound wave is used to produce a mechanical effect in the tissues and is useful for treat soft tissue injuries by stimulating blood circulation and cell activity. Treatment aims are to reduce spasm, pain and promotes recovery.
c) LASER therapy (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In the past I have used low level laser therapy  (LLLT) to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, to encourage connective tissue repair, for pain relief, and for it's action as an anti-inflammatory agent. This is not currently available for use in the clinic. Some physiotherapists also offer High Power Laser Therapy, which produces a higher power output than LLLT, enabling shorter treatment times and producing a heating effect on the surface of the skin.
d) Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT); a device emits an ultrasound wave exhibiting specific physical characteristics, including oscillations of high pressure amplitude of short duration, with the effect of stimulating tissue remodelling and collagen synthesis. ESWT is particularly good for treating persisting tendon injuries.

4) Allied Approaches.
I have attended many Acupuncture courses hosted by the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP). The acupuncture I offer is based on the Western Scientific Approach to needling, using fine needles inserted into specific points of the body to relieve pain, muscle spasm, and promote recovery.
Some physiotherapists have undertaken post-graduate training enabling them to offer Injection Therapy, Diagnostic ultrasound, and manage Women's Health conditions.